Posted by SueTLC

Previews are now underway for Harry Potter, the Exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Following on our reports from over the weekend, TLC reader Michael was able to get an early tour yesterday, and sent in some new delightful details of the props and set pieces used in the Harry Potter films fans attending the exhibit can expect to see.

A video montage of the first five Harry Potter films starts things off, with the images “concluding with it looking like the Hogwarts Express entering the station into Hogsmeade. A side wall then opened up “to reveal the scarlet stream engine.” You entered into Gryffindor Tower with an animated paintings of The Fat Lady “attempting to break the glass with her voice (very cool!).” Fans will be able to see things such as the Marauders Map “Hermione’s wand, time-turner and planner and the members list of Dumbledore’s Army,” as well as Neville’s Mimbulus Mimbletonia.

Michael continues: “There was a section devoted to Defense Against the Dark Arts where we see Gilderoy Lockhart’s complete published works and the portrait of him painting himself. The is also a life-sized “freshly caught” Cornish Pixie. For Professor Lupin we see the Boggart Wardrobe and a full-sized Jack in the Box. There is also the records of the PotterCast drums on display. Professor Umbridge is represented by a wholly pink display, complete with kitten plates, pink kitten stationary, and dangerous detention quill. Harry’s parchment with “I will not tell lies” is sitting right on the table.”

“Later, we enter the area devoted to dark magic. We see Voldemort’s robes from GoF. They are actually green! We see Draco and Lucius Malfoy’s attire from GoF. That includes Lucius’s snake-headed staff with
emerald eyes. Other metallic snakes adorn his robes and shirt. There is a full-scale dementor and I found it interesting that the “tail” of the dementor is visible beneath the cloak and it looks like an exposed spine trailing into the tail. Further down is the Prisoner of Azkaban outfit worn by Belletrix Lestrange and right nex to them is Kreacher looking as grumpy as ever. The Angel of Death statue from the graveyard scene is included in the exhibit.”

“There are also Ministry missives including the paper airplanes and the Wizard version of Cliff’s Notes. It is a study aid for the O.W.L.s.: How to Soar on Your OWLs! The Interdepartmental memos include an ‘M’ across the fold along the top and is sealed with a Ministry of Magic emblem (sticker.) They are printed on purple paper. There is also candy from from Honeyduke’s and also the Weasley Twin’s Skiving Snackboxes.”

“We move from there (Greenhouse) into the Quidditch area and the first thing we see is the crate from The Sorcerer’s Stone containing the four balls. There is also the Nimbus 2000 and 2001 (Sorry, no Firebolt!) There are many sets of Quidditch including Victor Krum’s from the World Cup. We see Ron’ robes from the upcoming Half-blood Prince film. You also get to test your skills with a Quaffle (I only missed one!) We also see robes for Draco Malfoy, Oliver Wood, and Cedric Diggory.”

Finally, PotterCast listeners may also recognize Michael as not only one of the editors on the show, but also as the voice of Hagrid for our Acting Troupe and Co-host of the Harry Potter filk podcast Filkcast:Potter Style. It is with delight he writes the following: “…we see Buckbeak the Hippogriff next to Hagrid’s pumpkin patch. And this brings us to Hagrid’s Hut. Inside is the actual table and chair seen in the Sorcerer’s Stone and on top is a shaking, rattling dragon egg (which presumably contains Norbert.) There is a large Hagrid-sized armchair for you to try out and we see Hagrid’s full attire. I am 6 foot 3 and the shoulders are a foot above my head. Too cool! We also see a few copies of The Monster Book of Monsters (there actually octopus suckers on the little tendrils), the lantern used to enter the dark forest and his pink umbrella wand! All in all, “it was amazing to see Harry’s clothes from SS (He was so small, then) and all the various wands. My favorite items included seeing the Grim teacup and the Marauder’s map, oh, and Rita Skeeter’s acid green quill.”

A press preview is also being held this week for all the fansites including TLC, and we will have much more then, stay tuned! Thanks so much Michael!

Harry Potter, the Exhibit opens April 30 and runs until September 27, 2009. For more ticket info, hours and more, please click here.

71 Responses to New Details from Harry Potter, the Exhibit

Professor Cassandra says: WOW I wish I could go!bmg057 says: I definitely have to go now! BMcFly1 says: I'll make sure that I take a detour on my way to the all star game this summer.useyourmind says: Holy Mimbulus Mimbletonia, I am so excited for Harry Potter the Exhibition!! It's going to be amazing!!!x_Potter_Lover_Forever_x says: OMG - this sounds sooooooooooo awesomely, amazingly, brilliantly fantastic that I can't put it into words!! :) :) I just went on that website and it says more dates coming soon. What I REALLY, REALLY want to know is if it's going to come to the UK. Because I really wish I could go!! :(
IF ANYBODY KNOWS IF IT'S COMING TO THE UK CAN THEY PLEASE, PLEASE PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE OWL ME!!!!!!
(Please - as you can see I am TOTALLY DESPERATE!!) 8~Dathena024 says: Please please please come to Boston! This would be amazing to see in person!cheeserpleaser says: Wow. It sounds as though it is going to be immersive, will truly and authentically transport you into the universe of Harry Potter. I am unbelievably excited that I will be able to visit it with my family this summer!maera-kyrie says: Ohh very cool! It sounds brilliant!ahs_12505 says: I am so excited for this. I can't wait to go!Lillylove says: Sounds like they have done this up right! Hope the exhibit tours around some. tubaturtle says: Wow! I NEED to go to this!! I live, like, two hours away from Chicago!!mhaeyemhaeye says: Gah! Again, and again, and again. I wish I could go! *weeps*dragonsmaidan says: I HAVE to go to this!! I can not pass up this opportunity!fuchsiarascal says: Ah! I can't wait until this opens on Thursday!emperessemma says: Gosh; *Jelous*
I wish this sort of thing would happen in my city!
xCyndeeJaye says: Can you say ROAD TRIP..............Lady of the Lake says: Yes! I am so taking a trip to Chicago this summer!SiriusGirl19 says: Cant wait! only 4 more days! I only wish I could take pictures.Wendelin the Weird says: I wish I could go! It sounds amazing! MidnightSun321 says: i soooooooo wanna go!!!!!!!! come 2 the UK!!! but abroad 4 most of the year coz of my dads work.
byeeeee
bea
xxxxxhpbruin says: Does anyone know if this exhibit will travel after Chicago? I really want to go see this.avrenim says: i am so so jealous. i can only hope that they bring this to new york!stevenk12468 says: This sounds so awesome!saffran says: Wow! Please let it come to Finland aswell! PLEASE!siriuslysirius11 says: How exciting!!HPNAIV says: I read the first 2 paragraphs ... now I REALLY have to go! I'm debating if I should l read the rest of this .. I don't know, I don't want to spoil it for me! :DParkinsonpansy says: too cool!!! i need to go see this
teach3 says: I'm going in June! Can't wait!Phlegm De La Coeur says: oh man, I'd even be excited for the gift shop!!!GF_of_Seamus says: for once I am happy I live in Chicago! squee!HermioneRon4ever says: Oh I hope I can go!!! It's kind of far but I still really hope I can!!! So is this the actual stuff from the movies or models? Either way awesome!!!!kraamerxmich says: YAY...im going this thursday...Cant wait!Kristen95 says: oh man I wish I could go! It all sounds so amazing! Who ever is going is so lucky.Gobbledygook says: :'( I WANT TO GOOOOOOOO!liebedance says: I have to get tickets. Like, right now. I'm so psyched.WeasleyRavenclaw says: I really wish I could go!! Wish it was in New York.Livelaughlovepotter says: EPIC AND POTTALICIOUS!
This sounds a-mazing!
GAH I wishhh I could go.phoenixes are in ravenclaw says: I want to go soooo badly!!!! But all of my family would be bored!!harrypotterfan5324 says: oh my god i cannot wait!!!!RaveKatie says: SNAKEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I get to see Snakey!!! :D Ah I'm so happy!!! This preview just made my day, I can't wait to go there this Friday!!! richkid50000 says: planning on going!Noella_Mansrot says: Want to go :(
Eeee! Skiving Snackboxes! And Rons Quidditch Robes! Glad you had fun Michael :)blob says: i get to go!!!
thank you chicagohermyone08 says: WOW, that explanation makes me want to go even more! AccioSarah says: Can't wait! I'm going on the 1st of May... second day of opening! It's going to be wild!Catherine says: cantwait to go!Catherine says: cantwait to go!The Silver Doe music says: Sounds so cool, I really wish I could go!MelissaRochelle says: I'm so bumbed that I can't go! I live about 3 hours away from Chicago, but for me this is pobably the worst summer they could have picked to do it!ErinM says: I'm going in 18 days! I think I'm going to cry!!Jersey says: Very coolDragomir Despard says: I wonder if the exhibit is going to tour. I hope it come to NYCiconshero says: Must Make Pilgrimage!!!! iconshero says: And Soon!!!RylOraMcBeck says: For those who are wondering: It is a touring exhibit but, as far as I know, they have not announced additional stops. HPfan13 says: Oh I really wish I could go now. Your making me jelous, it sounds wonderful, but I can't go, Australia is to far way mum saysAugury Feather says: so jealoushpftw says: Ah this sounds amazing!
For once in my life I appreciate living in the Chicago area! I'm going this Sunday so I'll let you all know how it is! (which I'm sure is FANTASTIC)hpftw says: I wish I could bring all you with me!
I think it's only going to be here for about 6 months so I'm sure you'll be able to see it somewhere!levi-OH-sa not levio-SA says: wow that is so freaking awesome! hopefully i can make it! i wouldn't want to miss that!do.u.bleve.n.magic says: Chicago! How am I supposed to get myself to Chicago by then! It sounds amazing! Smitch says: Wow, this is so awesome. I second you, empressemma - why can't this happen in my COUNTRY let alone my region? :( Whaaaaaatherness says: Eee! I'm so excited! I get to go see this! :D:D:D:DweB3now says: Sweeeeet!!! I have tickets for May 8th--I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wish we could take pictures!DeQ says: Come to Houston please!!!Hagrid 713 says: Hope they do a tour and hit Bostonsydgal65 says: thanks micheal for reviewing the exhibition, the photos were great,the costumes just awesome. woudl love to see hagrids hut, did they have the sorting hat too? i just hope this comes to sydney australia. snapester says: Can't wait!!!! - I wonder what kind, if any, shirts/merchandise they'll be selling!JTEL99 says: Well, we can at least read about it even if we can't go see it. It sounds like loads of fun!NuttyAsSP says: USA article, with some pics, can be found at
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-04-28-potter-exhibition_N.htmRylOraMcBeck says: snapester,
All WB merchandise. Books, movies, posters, chess sets, wands (replica and toy), stuffed animals, sorting hats, t-shirts, statuettes, actual figures, robes, chocolate frogs, etc. There is a lot to choose from.
Cheers!
Michael (Attended the Preview)